Improvement in seal-locks



J. E. WHITE.

Seal-Look.

No. 211,121 Patented Jan .7, 1879.

FFIE.

A JAMES E. WHITE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEAL-LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0- 211,121, dated January 7, 1879; application filed J une 7, .1878.

To all whom it may concern: f

Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seal-Looks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,

reference being had to the accompanying drawin gs, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a plan view, and Fig. 2 a vertical section, of my improved device, the sealcarrier being partially withdrawn from beneath the upper lock-plate. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the sealcarrier detached. Fig. 4 isan edge view of the seal-carrier, showing a flat seal clamped between the two jaws. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the sealcarrier, provided with an elastic seal, which envelops the lower plate or jaw of the car rier'; and Fig. 6 is a similar view of the elastic seal made in the form of a short tube.

Like letters in all the figures indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has relation to that class of locks wherein-it is necessary to force the key or other opening implement through a bit of material bearing a seal or other characters before the lock-bolt can be withdrawn; and it consists, essentially, in providing a simple carrier for the seal, which will effectually prevent the withdrawal of said seal through the key-hole without injury, and in a novel combination of parts, all of which will be hereinafter first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

The special. construction, to be hereinafter detailed, is peculiarly advantageous for use in conductors fare '-boxes, as explained in a previous application for patent filed by me but these same advantages render the device suitable for use in connection with almost any form of box, as is readily understood.

A is the upper lock-plate, secured to the lock or lid of the box from a point on its inner side, so that it cannot be removed when the box is closed. B is the seal carrier, adapted to fit in a slot beneath the plate A, and is composed of two leaves, which are perforated the same as the lock-plate, and made I to clamp the seal firmly between them when the carrier is properly located.

The lock-bolt should, of course, be of such construction as that it will be automatically thrown into its locked position when the lid of the box is closed, so as to avoid the necessity of inserting the key for the purpose of locking. Spring-locks of well-knownform will answer the purpose.

The seal a may be of any bit of paper having signatures, numbers, or other characters written or impressed thereon, and of such a nature that they will be difficult to duplicate it broken or destroyed. This seal, being securely clamped between the two leaves, cannot be withdrawn through the key-hole without injury to its surface, and any injury will indicate an attempt to tamper with the look.

In the special use for the lock indicated above, the. seal is liable to be defaced by moisture, and for this reason I propose to make the paper water-proof, and, if necessary, to'place it in the carrier with the face or characters downward.

The seal might be constructed of a short piece of tubing, substantially as shown in Fig. 6. This piece of tubing is to be written or printed upon in the usual way, either when in its natural condition or when distended, and is then made to completely envelop the lower leaf of the carrier, as shown in Fig. 5.

In order to facilitate the location of a number of seals or tubes 1) upon the carrier, they may be quickly distended by use of a pair of wire tongs, or any equivalent stretching devlce.

As thus constructed and arranged, the device cannot be tampered with withoutleaving unmistakable evidence of such tampering, and the seal, being water-proof, cannot be damaged by rain or moisture; and in other respects the improvement will be found to admirably answer the several purposes and objects of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a look, a fiscal-carrier adapted to be inserted beneath the up- 2 QELIQR per lock-plate, and to clamp the seal between In testimony that I claim the foregoing I its two leaves, substantially as shown and dehave hereunto set my hand in the presence of scribed. two witnesses.

2. In combination with a seal-carrier composed of two leaves, and adapted. to be in- JAMES E. WHITE. serted under the upper lock-plate, a' thin seal made of paper, with signature or other char- Witnesses: acter thereon, said seal being clamped between W. H. DIGKS, said leaves, substantially as and for the pur- CHARLES WAGNER.

poses set forth. 

